Christmas

PUBLISHED: 21:00 01 October 2018 Andrew Hirst Santa and his elves at last year's Christmas Wonderland in Clacton Picture: CHRISTMAS WONDERLAND Archant A business which hosts a popular Christmas Wonderland event in Essex has hit back after being told to stop trading over highways and planning concerns. St John’s Nursery in Clacton on Sea insisted “we are not trading illegally” after Tendring District Council (TDC) served it with an enforcement notice last month. The council claimed the business, located off St John’s Road, had “poor access”, which caused highways problems, and only had planning permission to operate as a wholesale outlet. It said the business must stop trading as a retail garden centre and hosting its Wonderland event. Last Christmas, TDC made a failed application for a High Court injunction to shut the Christmas Wonderland event down. The council sought the injunction, claiming it was an unauthorised … [Read more...] about ‘We’re open as normal’ – Christmas Wonderland organisers hit back after being ordered to stop trading

.......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ..........Norman Bugg in 2000, stands in his brightly illuminated front yard, where his Christmas holiday display eventually grew to 300,000 lights. (Greg Sorber/Albuquerque Journal)ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — When Norman Bugg did something, he strove to make it the best — including himself — said his son, Matt Bugg.Bugg, who was born in Canton, Ohio, on March 17, 1929, had a 28-year career in the United States Navy. He enlisted as a sailor and served in the Korean War and two tours of duty in Vietnam, working his way up the ranks to retire as a lieutenant commander in 1975 — an uncommon career trajectory.ADVERTISEMENTHe operated the Monterey Motel near Old Town for 25 years, taking an old Route 66 motel and remodeling and refurbishing it into a Triple Diamond-rated lodging.He had the … [Read more...] about Norman Bugg, creator of Christmas light extravaganza dies

PUBLISHED: 08:00 01 October 2018 Judy Rimmer Smyths' top Christmas toys. Picture: SMYTHS TOY SUPERSTORES Smyths Toy Superstores Which toys will be in the greatest demand this Christmas? Smyths Toy Superstores have announced their top 15 for the 2018 festive season. The toyshop chain, which has stores in Ipswich and Colchester, is preparing for its annual rush as parents and grandparents try to snap up this year’s must-have toys in good time for the big day.This year’s list includes some classics that children are familiar with, including Barbie and Paw Patrol, as well as brand-new toys from some of the biggest brands.Sinead Byrne, joint head of marketing at Smyths, said: “We are very excited about our unique selection of this year’s hottest toys for the Christmas period. In addition to some familiar items including NERF, Our Generation and Fisher Price, it is great to see some new toys feature in this year’s list.”Over … [Read more...] about From unicorns to robots, which toys will be top of the Christmas charts?

Debenhams is looking for up to 48 new members of staff to work in its Sunderland store this Christmas. The retailer says the new staff are wanted at its store in The Bridges to "help deliver the perfect shopping experience and encourage shoppers to ‘do a bit of Debenhams’."They will work on the sales floor during the store’s busiest times including Black Friday, Christmas and the Boxing Day sales. Successful applicants will start mid-November and work until the beginning of January.Mike Booth, store manager at Debenhams Sunderland, said: "Christmas is our busiest time of year. We begin planning months before the festivities start to make sure we deliver the high level of service that customers expect from Debenhams."Our sales colleagues play an important role in not only helping shoppers find the right item but also making sure that they have an enjoyable experience instore – they are a vital part of making sure that everyone has the best Debenhams experience … [Read more...] about Debenhams now recruiting for nearly 50 Christmas jobs at Sunderland store

A doll with life-like teeth and a strangely-shaped head has been tipped to top Christmas lists this year as an “imperfectionism” trend takes over the toy market, according to retailer Hamleys. Hamleys said there were signs that imperfectionism was beginning to emerge as a trend “as children increasingly resist the pressures of idealised perfection in social channels and celebrity icons”.It said £40 Crate Creatures, which have pointy ears, a naughty grin and glowing eyes alongside a “charm that will allow your child to be as cheeky as them” was part of the trend.Similarly, the £80 Boxer Robot toy is “needy and fallible - bumping into things, falling over and sometimes saying the wrong thing”.Hamleys said even established institutions such as Monopoly had seen “a new blast of reality” with the latest £22 ‘Cheaters Edition’ letting players steal, deceive and fib to beat fellow competitors.Victoria Kay, … [Read more...] about Imperfection tops Christmas gift list